Criminal Charges

Criminal Charges can be brought against you for a number of reasons. Attorney Dana Williams is a knowledgeable and experienced Trial lawyer who has represented many clients against criminal charges. Some of the most common charges are: 

Potential jail time and life-damaging impacts make it very important to have a good criminal defense lawyer. The Williams Firm brings more than 25 years of criminal experience and a dedication to making sure that all of our clients receive a full defense of their rights. We’re focused on providing every client with compassion, integrity, and a high-quality defense. Our lawyers focus on getting to know every client individually and providing them with a specialized defense, tailored to their personal needs. Give The Williams Firm a call today, and we will start working on your defense right away.



Aggravated Assault

Assault charges can ruin your reputation, career, and future. You could be charged with a felony, which limits your employment and housing opportunities as well as your ability to possess a firearm. If you have been accused of assault, you need a vigorous and aggressive defense from an experienced criminal defense attorney.  The Williams Firm has been successful defending assault cases and can help you fight assault charges.

Assault occurs whenever a person commits a physical attack on another person.  Cases can often times be fairly straight forward, however, in certain circumstances, cases can become very complex. Operating under the assumption that what has occurred is within the legal definition of Assault, one must act quickly to preserve evidence, confirm witness accounts and rally a defense.

Aggravated Assault is even more serious. However, some of the possible defenses could include the following:

  • Self Defense
  • The victim feared death, serious injury, or kidnapping
  • Defense of oneself or others
  • Consent
  • Defense of Property

Proving you were wrongfully accused takes the experience and skill of a criminal trial attorney . If the alleged victim is lying about the situation, for any reason, then the defendant can attack the credibility of the witness and may be acquitted. If you know that you have been falsely accused of assault, you need a good lawyer who is not afraid to confront the alleged victim and/or the investigating officers.

Another possible defense involves how evidence is attained by the authorities. If police obtain evidence through an illegal search, that evidence cannot be used in court. If law enforcement did not have a search warrant and did not obtain evidence under an exception to the search warrant requirement, that evidence cannot be used to find you guilty of assault. A knowledgeable lawyer can help defend you if any of the evidence against you was illegally obtained. 


Domestic Violence/Assault 

When you’ve been charged with Assault Family Violence, you need proven representation. An allegation of domestic violence can severely damage your reputation, even if you’re innocent. If you are found guilty, you could find yourself facing jail time. Being convicted of domestic assault can have enormous consequences from the rest of your life – it can limit future employment opportunities, housing, and even access to your children.

At The Williams Firm, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients. False accusations of domestic assault are quite common – partners sometimes accuse each other of assault during divorces or custody cases. Call us immediately if you need a domestic violence lawyer in Texas.

In Texas, there are three different kinds of domestic violence charges:

  • Assault Family Violence
  • Assault Family Violence/Impede Breath
  • Continuous Violence Against Family Member

Assault Family Violence

This is an assault committed against a family member, member of the perpetrator’s household, or romantic partner (current or former). An assault does not have to cause bodily injury to count – threats of injury are enough. Assault Family Violence is usually charged as a Class A misdemeanor, which is the most severe degree of misdemeanor. It carries a fine of up to $4,000 and a jail term of up to one year.  However, if the victim alleges that the Defendant choked them or otherwise restricted their breathing during the assault, the charge is a 3rd degree felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.  If a weapon is used, the charge is aggravated and the penalty is higher.

The Williams Firm is a highly respected Texas law firm that is dedicated to protecting your rights. We believe everyone deserves a vigorous defense and will do everything we can to help you in court. We have more than 25 years of combined legal experience, and use it to provide a comprehensive defense for every client. We also take pride in caring for each client as an individual and analyzing every case to ensure our clients get the specific help that they need.

When you are looking for a knowledgeable and compassionate defense attorney, give us a call. We recognize that being charged with assault can be incredibly stressful, and we are here to make sure that you understand the entire process and have a strong defense.



Drug Crimes

Were you accused of a Texas drug crime? Whether you’ve been charged with selling, possession, running a grow house, intent to distribute, or some other charge, you need a good lawyer to defend you. There are severe consequences if you’re convicted of a drug crime. You could lose your driving license, have to pay fines, have to list your conviction on future job and housing applications or even be sent to jail. A good attorney, like the ones at The Williams Firm, can help you fight these charges.

One of the most important topics for your defense lawyer to understand is the complexities of search and seizure laws. For example, police officers need to have either your permission or a search warrant to search your house or car. If they don’t have either, then any evidence they find can be thrown out of court.

There are other common defenses to drug charges that can also help you stay out of jail and with a clean record. These include:

  • The drug was approved for investigational use by the FDA
  • You were not in control of the drug or had not voluntarily taken control
  • The drug was a prescribed medication
  • The drug was not intended for human consumption
  • The drug in possession was in small enough amounts to make the arrest invalid

A good defense is extremely important in all drug cases. This is even truer if you are being charged with possession of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, or Ecstasy. These are all drugs that carry a possible charge of a first-degree felony, which means you could end up in prison for life. A good criminal defense lawyer can prevent that and possibly assist you in seeking treatment for an addiction as part of a plea agreement.

No matter what illegal substance you have been charged with possessing, or what specific drug-related crime you have been charged with, you need a good lawyer. Ever since the United States declared a “War on Drugs” in the 1970s, these crimes have been zealously pursued by the courts and law enforcement. At The Williams Firm, we believe that each of our clients deserves just as zealous of a defense. We’ll take the time to get to know you and your case and figure out how we can best defend you. We believe that your rights are important, and we take pride in giving all of our clients excellent service and having charges dropped whenever possible. Don’t let a drug charge ruin your life. Give us a call today.


DWI

Have you been charged with a DWI or DUI? Fighting those charges can become all consuming and ultimately dictate how quickly you can get on with your life, and you want a good lawyer on your team to help. Having a DUI or a DWI on your record can leave you exposed to substantial consequences, including losing your driver’s license, paying fines, increased insurance premiums, or even facing jail time. You could also be the target of fines, or even jail time, especially if this is not the first time you are being charged.

The first thing you need to understand is the difference between a DUI and a DWI. Both terms refer to operating a vehicle while intoxicated. However, there are important differences.

What is a DWI?

Anyone 21 or older driving with a blood-alcohol content of .08 or higher can be charged with a DWI. A first-time offense can result in 3 to 180 days of jail time, a fine of up to $2,000, and loss of your driver’s license for up to a year. Later DWIs could be subject to even harsher penalties, which is why it is so important to hire a great lawyer to fight DWI charges. Call us now!

What is a DUI?

A DUI, on the other hand, is charged when someone under 21 is found with any alcohol at all in their system. Young people under 21 can still be charged with a DWI if their blood alcohol content is .08 or higher, but the DUI is an age-specific charge. A DUI carries a fine of up to $500, 20-40 hours of community service, alcohol awareness classes, and a 60-day suspension of your license. If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI in Texas, you want to get a good lawyer on your team.

Defending your DUI or DWI charge

No matter which you are being charged with, you need a good lawyer to fight the charge. There are a few common defenses that your lawyer might use:

  • The police did not have probable cause to pull you over
  • The blood test analysis was wrong
  • The break test was not administered correctly
  • The field sobriety test was inaccurate
  • The officer violated your rights during the arrest

The Williams Firm has plenty of experience fighting DWIs and DUIs in court. You only have up to fifteen days to take action, so you should call us as soon as you can. Our experienced lawyers take pride in treating each and every client like the unique individual that they are. We want to get to know and the specifics of your case so that we can give you the best possible defense. Compassion is key to our firm, and we take pride in ensuring our clients understand exactly what is going on with their case. DUI and DWI cases need to be dealt with quickly, and you want to be protected from possible consequences. That’s why you should call us today so that we can help you understand your rights and return to your life.


Probation Violations and Modifications

 Are you being accused of violating the terms and conditions of your community supervision? Give us a call to help you communicate more effectively with the probation department to see if an agreement can be reached to reinstate your probation. 

Are you unable to work and earn a living because of some unreasonable requirements of your probation?  Give us a call so we can evaluate the terms of your probation and help you determine if a modification is necessary and help you get it changed by the Court.

Revocation and Adjudication Hearings

Are you facing jail or prison because of a probation violation?  Do you need an attorney who will listen to your side of the story, obtain the history of your community supervision, and discuss the facts, the evidence and the law with you and aggressively represent you at a hearing to revoke your community supervision? Give us a call to see if we can help you tell your story to the probation department or the court so that you are heard and all the facts are presented. 

Probation violations can be difficult to defend due to the low burden of proof. This is primarily due to the rules of evidence that typically prohibit certain types of admissible proof being allowable in the prosecution of the defendant. This is exactly why you must act quickly, and hire a trained criminal defense attorney.

Some defenses for probation violations include:

  • Failure to pay
  • Failure to report
  • Failure to submit documents in a timely manner
  • School and/or related violations of probation
  • The defendant could also provide a “false positive” on a court mandated drug test

What Happens After You’re Arrested

When you are arrested for a probation violation, you will be kept in custody until your preliminary hearing, which must occur within a certain amount of days, depending on your county. This will be your lawyer’s first chance to advocate for you in court: make sure you do not say anything incriminating without your lawyer present.

Early Terminations of Probation

If you have completed all the terms and conditions of your probation and are just waiting for the time to expire, you may be eligible for early termination of your probation.  Texas law provides options to allow a probationer to end the term of their probation where certain conditions are met.  Give us a call so we can evaluate your probation performance and determine if you are eligible to get off probation early and regain your life, free of supervision.

Expunctions/Non-Disclosures and Judicial Clemency

Did you make a mistake when you were younger but paid your debt to society by completing probation, but the offense still shows up on your record when you look for a job or try to move forward with your life.  You may be eligible to have the records of that arrest sealed or destroyed, or you may be eligible to have the conviction set aside.  Texas law provides options if you have successfully completed your community supervision and certain qualifications are met.  Give us a call so we can review your situation and help you determine if you are entitled to an expungement, a non-disclosure or judicial clemency.

When charged with a probation violation, the first thing you need to do is contact a lawyer. Probation Violations are handled in a completely different way than most cases, thus, are usually better developed before being filed, and can carry harsher penalties. When you know you are under investigation, you need the assistance of a highly qualified lawyer to protect you. The attorneys at The Williams Firm can help.

We understand how overwhelming facing a revocation of probation charge can be, and pride ourselves on ensuring our clients understand what is happening at every step. We’re dedicated to protecting your rights and giving you the vigorous defense that you deserve.  



Financial Crimes

Financial or "white collar crime" is all over the media, whether it’s in TV shows or in the news. However, most people aren’t completely sure what financial crimes are, perhaps because the term covers such a wide range of crimes. When the term was first coined, in 1939, it referred to crimes committed by high-status people in the course of their profession. Now, it’s typically any non-violent crime that results in financial gain.

What is a Financial Crime?

Many different things count as a financial or "white collar" crime, including:

  • Insurance Fraud
  • Credit/Debit Card Abuse
  • Exploitation of a Child, Elderly or Disabled Individual
  • Computer crimes
  • Healthcare Fraud (Medicare and Medicaid)
  • Fraud
  • Theft
  • Embezzlement
  • Bribery

Potential Consequences of Financial Crime

If you are convicted of a white-collar crime, the penalties will depend on the amount of money or benefits you obtained from your crime. Some white collar crimes are considered Class A misdemeanors, and others are considered first-degree felonies. Misdemeanors could carry fines of up to $4,000 and up to a year in prison. Felonies could result in a $10,000 fine and up to 99 years of prison time. We will analyze all of the documents and evaluate the accusations with our clients to determine the correct amount of restitution, if any is owed.

What The Williams Firm, PC Can Do

When accused of a financial crime, you need a good lawyer to protect you, like the ones at The Williams Firm, PC. There are a few different legal options that we will work with to help you stay out of jail:

  • Plea bargains are when the defendant agrees to plead no contest and receives a lighter sentence or reduced charge in exchange.
  • Non-trial mitigation allows you to face a lesser charge and lesser punishment.
  • Dismissal of charges is the ideal result, which is when all charges are dropped as having insufficient evidence, and you get to avoid a trial entirely.

If none of those options succeed, your lawyer will fight vigorously for you in court. If you are convicted, they will work to appeal your case or reduce your sentence.

Being accused of a financial crime is often overwhelming. Because these crimes are almost always non-violent, you might not feel like a “real” criminal. But don’t let that make you think you don’t need a real lawyer – you do, and the team at The Williams Firm PC is here for you. Our more than 25 years of combined legal experience, plus our dedication to giving you the best service possible, can help you fight your white collar charges in Texas. Give us a call today.



Weapons Offense

If you have been accused of an offense involving a weapon in Texas, that does not mean it’s not serious. Weapons offenses can still be a big deal, can cause an enhancement of another offense, and can bring major consequences, including fines and jail time.

What is a Weapons Offense?

  • Unlawful possession of a firearm,
  • Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
  • Unlawful Carrying of Weapon
  • Unlawful Transfer of Weapons
  • Making a Firearm Accessible to a Child

Although Some people are not permitted to own firearms even though laws allow U.S. citizens to purchase and possess firearms. These include: convicted felons; fugitives; unlawful users of certain depressant, narcotic and sedative drugs; anyone diagnosed with certain mental disorders or committed to a mental institution; illegal aliens or citizens who have renounced their citizenship; anyone dishonorably discharged from the military; those under the age of 18 for a shotgun or rifle, and those under the age of 21 for other types of firearms; people convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; and anyone under a court-ordered restriction for such crimes as harassing, stalking or threatening an intimate partner. Violation of these laws can result in serious penalties.

Weapons charges are typically based upon law enforcement locating a weapon either on a person’s property or in a person’s immediate possession, custody or control. We will review the case to determine whether law enforcement had probable cause to search a defendant, or possibly have conducted an unlawful search and seizure. 

If you have been accused of a weapons offense, you need to contact a lawyer right away.  Our lawyers will explain and protect your rights and make sure that you receive a vigorous defense in a court of law, if necessary.